The Métis Nation of Alberta was signatory to the Aboriginal Human Resource Development agreement in 1999, and the subsequent Métis Human Resource Development Agreement in 2005, under which it created the Labour Market Development (LMD) program. The LMD program supported the mission of the MNA – which is to pursue the advancement of the socio-economic and cultural well being of the Métis people of Alberta.

From its inception, the Labour Market Development Program was designed to meet the people’s needs at the local level by establishing a community based service delivery structure that maintained policy development, technical supports, and financial accountability at the head office level with decentralized client services throughout the province. This multi-level delivery structure has lead to many accomplishments within the LMD program over the years including the provision of financial support for post secondary training to approximately 8,000 Métis clients and employment services to thousands of aboriginal and non-aboriginal clients.

Other LMD achievements include standardizing service delivery across the province through multi-service delivery sites; development of a mobile office that delivers employment services to remote sites wherever the need may arise; the establishment of a disability service for clients entering training or employment that was recognized nationally as a best practice in 2007; and leadership in establishing an annual Alberta Aboriginal Achievement Award gala that recognizes the accomplishments of outstanding youth in academic, athletic, cultural, leadership and other fields.

We attribute our success in delivering the LMD program to our strength in planning, establishing priorities and targets and always working towards continuous improvement.

The Métis Nation of Alberta has a history of turning community programs into institutional development, and in February 2010 made another historic decision to develop and establish an education, training and research institute under an umbrella organization called Rupertsland Institute. LMD staff were excited to learn that the Labour Market Development Program would be moving under this new entity and renamed the Métis Training to Employment Program.

The Rupertsland Institute (RLI) functions as both as a training and education facility as well as a research and development institution to deal with the gaps in Métis education. RLI consists of two arms:

1. The Service Delivery Arm is the Métis Training to Employment Program consisting of Métis Employment Services, the Métis Centre for Professional Development, Industry Relations and Marketing, and Corporate Operations. The Research Arm is the Métis Research Institute to be established under an affiliation agreement with the University of Alberta.
2. Rupertsland Institute is incorporated as a not for profit company with a professional Board of Governors representing the business community, University of Alberta academia, government, industry and the Métis community.

The MTE program, under the Rupertsland Institute and a new five year business plan, will continue to strive for excellence in the delivery of labour market services to the Métis community through sound administrative practices, defined quality assurance processes, and results based accountability.

If you are a potential Métis student, I encourage you to take the time to learn about the programs and services available to you as shown on this website, or visit your closest Métis Employment Services office to find out more.

Best Regards,

Joan Isaac Director - Métis Training to Employment Program
Proudly serving the Métis Nation while “Working to Make a Difference”